Tag Archives: 1 Timothy 2:1

We can never pray enough. Paul notes in in his letter to Timothy, that we need to be sure that we do not limit our prayers. We are “to pray for all people.” That is a great command. Pray for all people. This means we don’t just pray for your family and friends. We don’t just pray for our church family. We don’t only pray for those we want to lift up in prayer. We pray for all people.

Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies. This is something that can help us to be more like Christ. While praying for our enemies, we are interceding on their behalf. Doing this opens our heart for the Spirit to help us forgive and heal. The verse in the letter to Timothy doesn’t only ask that we pray for all people. The letter continues that we “give thanks for them.” We are to give thanks for all people. Is this something you feel like doing? Do you thank God for the person who drives you crazy?

Understand that we are asked to do these things because it helps us to grow more Christ like. Often we think the prayers we pour out to God are to change others. The truth is the prayers often are to change us. Today, pray for all people. Intercede on their behalf. Give thanks for them. Be ready for God to respond in a mighty way!

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.” – 1 Timothy 2:1 [NLT]

I recently shared a devotional on being one who provides encouragement to others. Here’s the outline for reference / resource. To download this, follow the link below.

Be a Barnabas

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25 [NLT]

The apostles sent Barnabas to Antioch — “When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.” – Acts 11:23-24 [NIV]

Acts 4:36-37 – Barnabas sold land to provide for fellow Christians

Acts 9:26-28 – Barnabas (“Son of Encouragement”) took a chance on Paul. Others weren’t accepting him in Jerusalem because they didn’t believe he was a disciple but Barnabas spoke up for him.

Barnabas provided encouragement to John Mark. There was a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark. Barnabas didn’t give up on John Mark and Paul later requested John Mark because he was “profitable to the ministry” (2 Timothy 4).

ENCOURAGE – help them develop to who they are meant to be in Christ, give support, give confidence

Put yourself aside and help others get ahead [Philippians 2:3-4]

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” – Ephesians 4:29 [MSG] SPEAK LIFE

EMPOWER – Create opportunities for them to serve others, give authority – don’t always say yes to something because you think no one will step up. You end up filling up what God designed someone else to fill and spreading yourself too thing.

Paul told Timothy – 1st thing PRAY every way you know how for everyone you know – 1 Timothy 2:1-3

“Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do…. Treat them gently.” – Romans 14:1 [MSG]

Strong and able in faith – step in and lend a hand to those who falter à How can I help? “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” – Romans 15:1 [ESV]

William Barclay said, “No man ever saved his soul who devoted his whole time and energy to saving it, but many a man has saved it by being so concerned for others that he forgot that he himself had a soul to save.”